We’ve seen how CBT for Chronic Pain works. Now, let’s see if this treatment can help you reach your goals.
Added to your list!Nicely done! Starting to explore your goals will help you reach them faster!

Tutorial Walkthrough

This tutorial will walk you through the interactive components of the website.

Click the arrows on the left and right sides to move through the tutorial.

Click the icon in the upper right to close the tutorial.

Click the avatar icon to access tutorial at any time.

Go through each goal and select an answer.

When finished, view your goals summary by clicking the large button at the bottom.

On the summary page of your goals, you can choose to email the goals you selected to yourself to be a reminder or to help get started in treatment.

Explore Your Goals

Let’s see how CBT for Chronic Pain may be helpful to you. Below is a list of common treatment goals for Veterans who have tried this treatment. Review the goals and select the ones you may have for yourself. This process will help you better understand exactly how CBT for Chronic Pain can help you live the life you want. At the end, you’ll be presented with a summary of the goals you selected, which you’ll be able to email to yourself. If you choose to get treatment, bring these goals with you to help you get started.

In the list below, select “Yes” next to each goal that may apply to you.

I want to feel less overwhelmed by my pain.

Yes

No

Please select an option.

This is a common goal for CBT-CP! Treatment begins by helping you better understand what contributes to pain and the impact it has on different areas of your life. Treatment then teaches proven skills for helping you to take control of the pain rather than it controlling you.

I want to be more active.

Yes

No

Please select an option.

Great! Many people with chronic pain avoid physical and social activities to try to limit pain. This is understandable, but can lead to isolation, loss of stamina, reduced muscle strength, and greater focus on pain. In CBT-CP, you’ll learn to take small steps to gradually increase activity and improve your functioning.

I want to be more consistent and accomplish things in my day-to-day life.

Yes

No

Please select an option.

Chronic pain can really impact your daily routine. Many people with chronic pain feel that pain is calling the shots in their life. Treatment will help you approach the things you want to accomplish in a more thoughtful and paced way, leading to increased productivity and fewer pain flares.

I want to improve my mood and outlook.

Yes

No

Please select an option.

You are not alone! Individuals with chronic pain often report feeling down and irritable. CBT-CP can help you catch and change pain-related thoughts that directly affect your mood. You’ll learn new ways of looking at your pain that take away its negative power. You’ll also work with your therapist on doing activities that you enjoy, which research shows leads to improved mood.

I want to improve my relationships.

Yes

No

Please select an option.

Pain can take a toll on relationships and lead to isolation. CBT-CP will help you re-engage with people and activities you care about. Increasing safe activity, improving your mood, and knowing how to manage your pain can all have a positive impact on your relationships, which in turn will improve how you feel.

I want to be less focused on my pain.

Yes

No

Please select an option.

CBT-CP likely won’t eliminate your pain completely, but will help you shift your focus to the people and activities that really matter to you. As you expand your life and grow the good things, pain will take up less space.

I want to sleep better.

Yes

No

Please select an option.

Many Veterans who experience chronic pain report having sleep problems. CBT-CP includes specific strategies for improving the amount and quality of your sleep. Your therapist can also connect you with additional resources if you still need more help in this area.

I want to manage pain flares more effectively.

Yes

No

Please select an option.

CBT-CP will help you establish a plan you can follow to reduce the amount of pain flares that you have and to better manage them when they occur. Together, the skills you learn in treatment can greatly improve the negative impact of pain flares on your life.

I want to be in less pain.

Yes

No

Please select an option.

CBT-CP can help! Treatment can teach you how to manage your physical and emotional responses to pain, which can improve your pain experience. For example, specific relaxation skills taught in treatment work to calm the nervous system and reduce muscle tension. And regular, paced activity can help you regain strength and conditioning. These changes and more can turn down the volume of your pain.

I want to rely less on pain medications.

Yes

No

Please select an option.

Many CBT-CP skills can help you achieve this goal. Effective use of pacing can help to reduce pain flares, relaxation skills can quiet your body’s harm alarm, and skills for changing pain-related thoughts can change how you experience pain. Using these many helpful CBT-CP options to manage pain will give you tools that you control so that you can rely less on medications.

Do you have a goal to add? Type in below!

Add your own goal!

Great – here is a summary of the goals you’ve selected!

These goals can help you see if CBT for Chronic Pain may be helpful to you. Click the button at the bottom to e-mail your goals to yourself. If you choose to get CBT for Chronic Pain (or other treatment), bring these goals to your health care provider or therapist to help you get started!